Abstract
By 2025, the global market for walking aids is forecasted to be worth $3.3 billion. Although one may think these products are for aging users, there is an underserved demographic of younger users (<55 years) that rely on devices for assistance while healing from injuries due to sport, automobile accidents, and other health-related conditions. This research sought to design a functional walking cane that has a modern aesthetic and breaks the preexisting social connotations of the cane form. A multi-phased design approach was used, where form, functionality and aesthetics were explored for a pre-defined person.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded through the 2019–2020 University of Oregon College of Design Tinker Hatfield Innovation Award - Design for Healthy Aging project.
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Sokolowski, S.L., Clausen, A., Fretz, M. (2021). Modernizing the Walking Cane to Integrate Ergonomics and Wayfinding Technology to Improve Aesthetics and Functionality For <55-Year-Old Users. In: Shin, C.S., Di Bucchianico, G., Fukuda, S., Ghim , YG., Montagna, G., Carvalho, C. (eds) Advances in Industrial Design. AHFE 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 260. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80829-7_65
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80829-7_65
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